Breeders’ Cup winner Unrivaled Belle, who broke her withers after falling backward in the paddock while waiting to be saddled for the Ogden Phipps Handicap (gr. I) at Belmont Park June 18, has been retired from racing. She exits with 13 top three finishes from 14 starts and earnings of $1,854,706 for breeder/owners Gary Seidler and Peter Vegso.
“I’ve had horses come back from that and race and even win a stakes,” said trainer Bill Mott. “It’s not an uncommon thing. But with her, the year would be practically over.”
Five-year-old Unrivaled Belle captured the 2010 Breeders’ Cup Ladies’ Classic (gr. I) over subsequent champion 3-year-old filly Blind Luck. Last year she also won the La Troienne Stakes (gr. II) and the Rampart Stakes (gr. III) and ran second in the Ogden Phipps, the Beldame Stakes (gr. I), and the Ruffian Invitational Handicap (gr. I). In her two starts this year she finished second in the La Troienne and third in the Rampart.
Unrivaled Belle (Unbridled's Song—Queenie Belle, by Bertrando) will have several weeks of stall rest, and then will likely go to Vegso’s farm near Ocala, Fla., said assistant trainer Leanna Williford.
